Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s latest producing project, “Cookie Queens,” is facing a lukewarm reception.
One review particularly takes issue with the production’s focus, arguing that the documentary prioritizes the girls’ high-stakes sales competition while leaving much of the story behind the Girl Scout cookie empire unexplored.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s latest documentary project is drawing criticism for taking a reality-TV approach to the Girl Scout cookie business.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex serve as executive producers on “Cookie Queens,” which follows four young Girl Scouts through the intense six-week cookie-selling season. The girls set ambitious targets, with 12-year-old Olive aiming to move 8,000 boxes while 8-year-old Shannon-Elizabeth hopes to sell 2,750.
In a review for Variety, critic Owen Gleiberman argued that director Alysa Nahmias turns their sales efforts into a competition rather than exploring the history and cultural impact of Girl Scout Cookies. He described the documentary as a “reality-show ramble” and compared its format to “Dance Moms,” “The Apprentice,” and the spelling-bee documentary “Spellbound.”
The film does touch on the economics behind the operation. Girl Scouts reportedly sell more than $800 million in cookies each year, while troops receive $1 from each $6 box sold. However, Gleiberman said those potentially deeper issues are quickly abandoned as the documentary returns its attention to the girls’ race to hit their sales goals.
Meghan Markle Joins ‘Cookie Queens’ Stars In The Kitchen
Meghan joined three “Cookie Queens” stars for a playful baking session on August 6 as she continued promoting the Sussexes’ new documentary. The Duchess appeared alongside director Nahmias and Girl Scouts Niki, Shannon-Elizabeth and Olive in a BuzzFeed Tasty video.
Together, the group dreamed up a new cookie before the girls turned the tables and started questioning Meghan.
When asked about her favorite Girl Scout treat, Meghan picked Thin Mints. She then surprised Shannon-Elizabeth by revealing that she likes dipping cookies in jam or sandwiching two together with jam between them.
Asked what adults can learn from young girls, Meghan praised the Scouts for backing up their words with action and working together to improve things. She also wore a “LOVE” feather pin that Shannon-Elizabeth gave her that day.’
‘Cookie Queens’ Star Says Government Can Learn From Girl Scouts
One of the young stars of Meghan and Harry’s “Cookie Queens” has ambitions that stretch well beyond selling Thin Mints.
Olive, now 14, revealed that she hopes to become a Supreme Court justice. Speaking from the National Girl Scout Convention in Washington, D.C., she also shared what she believes politicians could learn from scouting.
The North Carolina teen pointed to the Girl Scout Law and its call to “be a sister to every Girl Scout.” For Olive, that principle should extend to people with opposing views. “Even if it’s someone you disagree with, you should always treat them with respect and hear out their opinions,” she said.
Olive also praised the organization’s approach to inclusion, saying Girl Scouts welcomes those who identify as girls.
Meghan Markle Reveals Her Girl Scout Past
Meghan had a personal reason for getting behind “Cookie Queens”: She once sold Girl Scout cookies herself.
A source close to the Duchess of Sussex said Meghan was a Brownie and later a Junior Girl Scout. Her mother, Doria Ragland, also served as her troop leader. The experience reportedly helped teach Meghan lessons about confidence and entrepreneurship that stayed with her into adulthood.
Nahmias said Meghan connected with the project from the outset, particularly its effort to portray young girls as complex individuals who can be ambitious while still showing vulnerability.
That connection came full circle through Nikki, one of the documentary’s young stars. The California Girl Scout belongs to the same greater Los Angeles council Meghan was part of growing up.
Meghan Reportedly ‘Bombarded’ With Acting Offers
Beyond producing, Meghan is reportedly still seeking a way back into acting. A Page Six report from April suggested she was already attracting a wave of offers, although none of those have materialized into a significant gig back on screen.
At the time, a veteran Los Angeles casting agent claimed studios and producers were scrambling to secure Meghan following speculation about her return to acting. The source said that proposals ranged from romantic comedies and dramas to sitcoms and soap operas.
Meghan has, all the same, already taken a step back onto a movie set. She filmed a cameo in Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming “Close Personal Friends,” starring Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding.
